Sinister coldness flickered in Ao Chenyi's beautiful eyes. The moment he saw the trace of sweat on Ning Xueyan's forehead, he knew that she was worried. He paused, turned around, and gently patted her shoulder. "Don't worry. I won't go to him directly. I do have business with His Majesty now, so let me get someone to send you home."
That said, he looked at Eunuch Zhu, who was still supporting Lanning.
Lanning was putting up a strong front despite being in a bad condition. Her face was pale. Ning Xueyan knew she must get a physician to examine her as quickly as possible. Since she had achieved her goal of entering the palace to visit Senior Nun Jing Kong, it was time for her to leave.
Still, she was worried. Ao Chenyi was used to getting his way and wasn't the kind who would suffer losses in silence.
"You're not going to beat Ao Mingyu up, are you?" she asked, her glistening eyes turning around.
"Relax. I won't look for
"Older sister, this courtyard still looks the same as before. Can I stay here for a little longer?" Hua Qiuying looked at the courtyard in front of her with tears welling in her sadness-filled eyes, looking as if she was reminiscing.This was the courtyard that caught Hua Yueying's eye at the very beginning. Even among the courtyards in Prince Yi's Manor, it was quite exquisitely built, especially with its refurbishment later on. However, it was abandoned when the marriage fell through. When Commandery Princess Xianyun entered the manor, she once sent someone to inspect the courtyard. She didn't end up choosing this place after hearing that it was Hua Yueying's pick, thinking that it would be unlucky.It meant that the courtyard was left empty with barely any visitors save for the occasional servants who would drop by to clean. Everything was left exactly in its place, though the arrangement was completed by the servants at Prince Yi's Manor as Second Young
Ning Xueyan was walking so quickly that she was nearly running. Lanning followed closely behind her. She had sent Xinmei out earlier to see what was happening. Ao Chenyi was injured! How could he be injured? Wasn't he fine before she left the palace? What on earth happened? Were his injuries severe? Would he be all right?All she could think about was a bloody Ao Chenyi but her mind wouldn't allow her to think any further. She rushed toward Chuihua Gate but before she could get there, she ran into Xinmei on her way back. Xinmei told her that Ao Chenyi was at the Moon-embracing Tower. Hearing that, she headed in the tower's direction at once.On their way there, Xinmei didn't explain anything except that the Prince's men were heading toward the Moon-embracing Tower by the time she arrived. She didn't manage to see the Prince. This made Ning Xueyan more anxious.When they finally arrived at the Moon-embracing Tower, they saw the imperial physicia
The first thing the imperial physician saw after entering the room was Prince Yi lying unconscious in bed in his innerwear.A beautiful young woman was sitting beside the bed and wiping her tears with a handkerchief. When she saw him coming in, she let go of Prince Yi's hand and stepped back to sit on a cedar chair. A maid stood behind her respectfully with her head lowered, looking like she didn't even dare to raise her head.Yu Jian stepped forward and said, "Princess, this is Physician Xu. His Majesty sent him to examine our prince's injury.""Yes, please do so. He… He's still unconscious…" Ning Xueyan looked up, her eyes still red. It was obvious that she had cried and her voice was hoarse, too.The physician carefully observed Princess Yi. She was an exquisite beauty, if a little thin. She seemed to have suffered some congenital deficiencies. She lowered her head again after speaking, making it hard for him to see her expressi
Inside the hall, the high and mighty Emperor looked coldly at Physician Xu as the latter knelt. "He's really injured, and at a risky place at that? He nearly lost his life?""Yes, that's the case. I took care to examine it myself. The wound is close to his chest. If it were anywhere lower, Prince Yi might not be able to regain consciousness so easily."Physician Xu trusted in his medical skills, so he was able to speak with certainty."Is there really nothing odd about Prince Yi's Manor?" the Emperor asked, frowning. It seemed that he could stop suspecting Ao Chenyi of directing the assassination himself."No," Physician Xu said, but added upon second thought, "But… something seems off about Princess Yi."The Emperor didn't expect Physician Xu to bring up Princess Yi. He was momentarily stunned, but soon asked, "What's off about Princess Yi?""Prince Yi was unconscious when I was treating him, but I notice
Inside a gorgeous pavilion, lithe women decked in a colorful dress were dancing gracefully while two men watched from a platform. One of them was Wen Xueran, with his alluring smile and devastatingly handsome face. He looked even more beautiful than the dancers below.His black hair was draped over his shoulder, lending him an androgynous allure. His wide robe made him look like an ancient scholar, with a trace of languidness in its flightiness. Beside him was the elegant Hua Yunheng in a light-colored robe.The dancers were twirling around gracefully, their sleeves fluttering with every action, their dainty waists twisting from time to time, as they displayed their elegant figures. Instrumental music from both sides that accompanied the performance made them look all that more delicate and beautiful. Upon closer look, the musicians were all beauties themselves. But dressed in men's attire, they looked more dashing instead.However, these women
Chen Hexiang, being the plaintiff, was the first to arrive. Ning Ziyan was also brought to the court well in advance. Xia Yuhang, a reputable young nobleman and the son of Minister Xia, wasn't arrested and detained. Instead, the officers from the Ministry of Justice only brought him here today.Ning Xueyan stayed in the carriage, watching Xia Yuhang being herded through the crowd into the court. Someone pushed him just as he noticed her carriage, causing him to nearly fall. He was brought inside the Ministry of Justice, almost pathetically so, and the crowd soon filled the door.While the trial continued, Xinmei would return from time to time to report the development of the case. It wasn't an uncommon sight, for there were many people who found it inconvenient to leave their carriages. Many quick-witted servants and maids would run back and forth to deliver the latest news, so Ning Xueyan remained inconspicuous.Inside the court, Chen Hexiang
When Ning Xueyan regained unconsciousness, all she could feel was pain all over her body. She touched the back of her head, unable to recognize where she was at the moment. She seemed to be inside an old firewood shed with some firewood scattered on the floor. Underneath her was a large piece of firewood, so the surface was still fairly soft. She sat up and saw that she was all alone.The first impression the place gave her was that of an old firewood shed but the second, however, was a jail. It was a small room, with a tiny window high above. The whole place looked gloomy.Hearing the noise from inside the shed, two repulsive-looking burly men opened the door and walked in. "Hey, you woke up?" they said, looking at the woman sitting on the pile of firewood. It was apparent from their appearance that they were no gentleman.Ning Xueyan's gleaming eyes blinked as she asked calmly, "Who are you two?" The lady who attacked her was skilled and foll
Ning Xueyan's firm words made the two burly men hesitate for a moment. They exchanged doubtful looks. One went out while the other stayed behind, watching her with an unreadable expression. She leaned on the pillar beside her calmly and started closing her eyes as if she was taking a rest. She kept them partially open under her long lashes, with just enough space to keep a vigilant watch.The burly man who went out earlier returned shortly after and yanked his companion. They started whispering in the corner of the shed, though it seemed more like arguing instead. Now and then, they would point at Ning Xueyan. Although their voices weren't loud, their argument was getting tense.Ning Xueyan seemed relaxed, lying against the pillar, but in reality, her whole body was tense. All of her attention was on the two big men. In a situation like this, she couldn't afford any mistakes as a woman. Xia Yuhang was still in the Ministry of Justice, so the only one who co